A new Costa drive-thru is set to open in Kent in the run up to Christmas.

The coffee giant is just adding the finishing touches to its latest site in Chestfield, near Whitstable.

It is set to launch on Thursday next to the existing Shell garage near the Chestfield roundabout.

But the development - which also has a sit-in cafe - has been a contentious one, having originally been rejected in the face of stiff opposition from locals.

The plans were snubbed in 2018 after council officers said the drive-thru would have an unacceptable impact on neighbours and result in the loss of a "visual buffer between residential and commercial development".

But three years later developers were given permission to build on the scrubland site.

There will be 22 parking spaces, with planning papers previously stating the business would operate from 5am to 11pm seven days a week.

A Costa Coffee spokesperson said: “We’re delighted to confirm that a new Costa Coffee drive-thru store will open in Old Thanet Way, Whitstable, on Thursday, December 22.

"The store has created 15 jobs for members of the local community and will allow on-the-go customers to easily pick-up their favourite Costa coffee.

"We look forward to welcoming new customers to the store.”